Friday Favorite

So...this evening I'll be posting about a favorite to beat all favorites (and it's free!!!)

I was catching up on a few friends blogs earlier tonight.  One of them happened to be all into coupon shopping  (I've tried but I'm not very good at it) and suggested going to the Krazy Coupon Lady to get some hints...so I went.  (What else did I have to do???...just make dinner, fold the clothes, write a blog, etc...no biggie.)  When I jumped over to the Krazy Coupon Lady the post right at the top of the blog spoke to me, "Real Krazies Need Real Chocolate...For Free!!"  Talk about music to my ears.  Two of my favorite things: chocolate and free...mixed together!  Can't get much better than that, and since it was two of my favorite things combined into one on favorite Friday, I couldn't let the opportunity to share such a sweet deal with all of you pass by!!

Here's how it works:

Every Friday through September Mars is giving away coupons for a FREE chocolate bar! Quantities are limited to 250,000 coupons per Friday...and yes if you're reading this right now the offer is still available TONIGHT, so make sure you go here to fill out the form and get your coupon for the yummy, chocolatey goodness of your choice!  Me, personally....I'll be going for the DOVE chocolate.  Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmmm.  And no, I'm not going to share!  (Too bad kids...save up your allowance and you can get your own!!!)

As a sidenote:  I think I've just become a Krazy Coupon Lady fan (It must have been destiny...what else would you call it when you stumble upon a blog with such a sweet opening post??)

Wednesday Wisdom

Here's another installment of...(da da da duh)
Lesson's From My 3 Year Old

Rylen has become our resident comedian over the past several weeks.  He has discovered the art of "joke telling" and while he is far from being a comedic genius, he has given me quite a few chuckles (albeit more from his personality than his jokes.)  His repetoire consists of a few knock knock jokes:

Knock Knock.  Who's there?  Orange.  Orange who?  Orange ya glad I didn't say banana!!  (He hasn't quite grasped the concept of doing the knock knock joke with the banana answer prior to telling this one)

...and a  few "why did the chicken" jokes:

Why did the chicken cross the playground?  To get to the other slide!!!

But mostly his jokes consist of things that he makes up and thinks are funny:

Why did daddy mow the lawn?  Because it was getting long....hahahahahaha!!! (that sort of funny!!)

More often than not his post joke laughter is funnier than the actual joke...and is what spurs on my own laughter.

So, why in the world am I telling you this?  To subject you to the same barrage of lame jokes that I hear on a daily basis???  Maybe.  Hope not!   But as I was trying to think of something to write today, Rylen's humor kept coming into my head, and I kept thinking why am I thinking of all these silly little jokes that Rylen has told me???  

Well, the short answer is that it is something to write about.  

The longer answer (although not that much longer) is that my 3 year old is able to see humor in everything.  (And I suppose the silly jokes are his way of sharing that humor with me.)  I think I could learn a lesson from him.  Sometimes I find myself so wrapped up in things that I fail to see the humor in even the most humorous of situations.  Kids seem to laugh deeply and easily, but I've noticed that it becomes increasingly difficult to laugh at the jokes like, "Why did Brighton crawl up the stairs?....So he could come back down."  I don't find it funny to chase the little monster up and down the stairs all day to make sure that he doesn't get hurt, but I suppose if I looked at it from Rylen's perspective it could look pretty funny to watch mommy hovering protectively over his little brother on one of Bright's many trips up AND down the stairs.

So, I suppose the lesson is this:  life is funny.  Even the most mundane acts are funny...to someone.  It's just up to us to be that "someone" that it is funny to!  Take some time to laugh today...even if you have to make up your own UN-funny joke!

Tuesday Tutorial

The end of school is quickly approaching.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad?? 

This is the time of year I always find myself stressing over teacher gifts.  Is it just me??

  

Kenny would say, "It's their job, why do they need a gift?" (maybe it's a guy thing) but my mom always made sure that we gave something to give our teachers both at Christmas and the end of the year.  (Maybe it's a teacher thing.) 

Regardless, I think it's nice for the kids to give a small token of appreciation to their teachers at the end of the year, but I have the hardest time trying to figure out something to give.  Add that to the fact that it needs to be relatively inexpensive because I have multiple children...which means multiple teachers, and the pocketbook is only so big...

So, I was sitting here stressing about a silly gift again and an idea came into my head....don't remember if I was blog surfing looking for ideas or if I saw something that made me think of it or

 what (so I apologize if I'm not giving credit where credit is due) but here's a quick and easy teacher gift that your kiddo's can make themselves:

Supplies:

*Small container (bucket/pail/etc...I got a few at the craft store for about $2.50, then I found the little pail at Target for $1)

*Teacher stickers/ABC stickers/Vinyl Lettering - whatever you'd like to decorate the container with.

*School Supplies - I chose pencils because what teacher couldn't use pencils, but you could use crayons, glue sticks, erasers, markers, pens, stickers...need I go on???

Instructions:

Let the kids decorate the container with whatever stickers/vinyl they want.  Fill the container with the school supplies.  Attach a nice little thank you note.  Voila!  Cute, useful teacher gift with minimal effort!

Here are some other ideas via Tip Junkie!!

Monday Mom-blings

We're at the end of a long weekend!  I wish we could have more of them...don't you???  Not that it's been really relaxing, but it's been nice to have Kenny home for a few days in a row!

Well, there's not a whole lot of time to momble because the "to-do" list is about a mile long...thankfully, most of it is Kenny's (heehee), but I suppose it would only be fair to help him out a little!!  Can't do all the whip-crackin'!

Like many other's, our tradition on Memorial Day (or at least sometime during the weekend) is to make a visit to the cemetary.  It used to be a lot easier...we used to live a lot closer to it than we do now, but hopefully we'll still make it this year.  It's important that the kids know that it's important.  It's important that we show our gratitude to everyone who has sacrificed for our freedom!  It's important that our children know that our freedom is worth that sacrifice!!

Thank you to all of you who have sacrificed for our freedom!

Happy Memorial Day!

Extra Extra

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a little deal with ya....

Apparently, tomorrow (Sat. May 23rd) is flip flop day at Old Navy and flip flops will be $1. (At least that's what they said at the check-out register today.) That's ONE DOLLAR!! Now granted, they're not the high end, designer flip flops, but...$1. Can't beat it!

What's the catch you ask??  Solid Colors and select styles only.  Limit of 5 per customer.

Hey...speaking of flip flops, back in "the" day, we used to call them thongs. Shhhh. (I suppose this kind of dates me.) Can I just say how GLAD I am that we don't call them that anymore!!! 'Nuff said!

 

Friday Favorites

Okie Dokie....so it's time for another favorite book post.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a tendency to read a lot of youth fiction books in order to preview them for my kids. I like to think of myself as the rating guide for my children's literature because, let's face it, there's a lot of stuff out there that says it's ok for kids and I wouldn't let my kids near it with a ten foot pole. For example, my 6th grader (and my 4th grader for that matter) both came home from school this year (on separate occasions) and asked to read the Twilight series. Apparently all the 6th graders at school were reading the series. It was all the rage among the pre-teens! Are you kidding me?? I mean,  I'll admit, I've read the series, and while it wasn't my most favorite in the world, the storyline grew on me, but SERIOUSLY? let my 4th or 6th grader read them??? I don't think so. Honestly, Jackson (6th grader) would not even enjoy the first book...too much mush!!! I also refused the request to read Brisinger...again, content. 

Anyhoo, to make a long post, short, suffice it to say that I'm just a little picky about what my kids can read, and with that in mind I'll share with you some of my favorite youth fiction series that I do allow my kids to read:

1. Fablehaven Series, by Brandon Mull - I'll be the first one to admit that I'm a little skeptical of books that I first find in Deseret Book (the LDS author kind...sorry, don't mean to offend anyone) but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. They are great for kids between 4th and 6th grade. They have monsters, adventure, action, and even some moral lessons. Plus, at the end of the book, there is a Reading Guide that suggests questions for the reader to think about or things for multiple readers (ie. mom to ask kids when they're done with the book) to discuss. I like that!  There are currently 4 books in the series.  The first one got me hooked, and each successive one has only gotten better (I've read the first 3...the 4th is on my "to-read" list.) The first 3 books can be picked up at Walmart (in their youth fiction aisle) for about $5...and I would definitely say it's worth the money!  Book 4 is available at Costco for $11.99 (still a good price.)

Here's a little preview of Book 4

*Just as a note, Brandon Mull also has a book out called "The CandyShop War."  I've read this one too, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as the Fablehaven books, I still thought that it was good and it's appropriate for 4th - 6th graders as well!  It also has the reading guide at the back of it!

2.  Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, by Rick Riordan - I picked up the paperback edition of the first book for Jackson at Christmas time.  I learned later, that his class was already reading it at school...oh well!  It's been a good addition to OUR library.  I started reading the series because my hubby picked it up one day, read straight through it, and loved it!  (He loves to read, but normally he doesn't enjoy the whole "youth fiction" genre.)  Anyway, that got me started and as I sit here writing, the other thing on my desk is the newly released 5th book in the series...just begging to be read (so if I all of a sudden stop writing you'll know what happened......

Oops...I'm back.  The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series is great for 4th - 6th grade depending on the reading level of the kids.  (I would probably recommend it more for 5th or 6th grade...although my 4th grader might have something to say about that.)  This is also a series with monsters, action, and adventure...Greek adventure.  It's about a young boy and Greek mythology (that's all I'll give away.)  Suffice it to say that if you have a kid (or you) that enjoys Greek mythology, you'll enjoy this series.  It's written quite cleverly...and like the Fablehaven series, each book gets better and leaves you (as my kids would say)  "dying" to read the next one.  Also, like Fablehaven, the first 4 books can be picked up at Walmart for about $5, and the 5th one is available at Costco for under $10.  Nice!!

I'll write about some of the other series/authors I enjoy later...but I've got a book to finish!  

If you've read any of the series I've mentioned, I'd love to hear your mombles about them.  If not, then read them and momble about what you think OR momble to let me know of any other book series/authors you enjoy or would be appropriate for pre-teens to read.  Happy Reading!!

Tuesday Tutorial

Finally!!!

I always feel like I've accomplished something when I have something to show for it...no matter how difficult or easy the project may be.  This week (actually for the past several weeks) I was looking at our FHE chart, and I must say it looked pretty pitiful.  Seriously!  It was too the point where I'd ask, "Who's conducting this week?" and someone would answer, "The invisible monkey!" or "The one eyed tiger." 

 Now, we all knew who those animals were, but that's not the point...the fact that our chart was so worn out that we had to say something like that just gnawed away at me.  It was time for a new FHE chart.  

Luckily I got a sale flier for Roberts Craft, and they had a great deal on their magnet boards so...I hit the sale, got everything I needed and more, and went to work.

Here's what you'll need for the board:

*A magnet board (any size will do...whatever works for your fam)

*A 2 oz. bottle of paint (your color choice)

*Modge Podge

*Craft Paper (to coordinate with your paint...opt.)

*Paint brush or sponge

*Letter Stickers (regular or vinyl...I really wanted that cool Crikcut Expressions machine that you can program in what you want, throw the vinyl through, and voila, instant gratification, but at $250+, I settled for the stickers...maybe one day, *Big Sigh*)

*Any crafty embellishment you want to add.

I started by painting the board.  You may have to sand the wood a little to get it all prepped for paint, but mine with just MDF and needed no prep.  As the paint was drying, I cut the paper to the size and shape that I needed.  If you would rather just keep the paint, that's fine too...you can

 just stick your letter's or embellishments on top of that.  After the paint was dry, I Modge Podged on the paper and left that to dry.  Then I grabbed my stickers and went to work on the various FHE jobs that I wanted on the board...Conduct, Prayer, Song, Scripture, Lesson, Activity, Treat.  I added Family Council at the bottom because once a month we've decided that instead of having a lesson we'll have a family council.  To

 finish off the board, I added a few little things to make it more personal...our name, a quote, etc.  Voila...board done!

You could use several things to show who's doing what.  I chose to use magnets with our picture on it because I thought it would be an easy way for our little kids to know who was doing what, but you could use wooden shape cutouts, wooden initial cutouts (this was my second choice), etc...I'm sure the kids would get a kick out of decorating their own FHE chart magnet.  Anyhoo..

Supplies for magnets:

*Decor Accent Marbles

*Glossy Accent Clear Glue

*A picture

*Magnets (make sure they're strong enough for the marbles...I'm gonna have to replace my because my magnets are too weak)

*Glue gun

Here we go...cut the picture so that it is approximately the same shape and size (or just slightly smaller) than the marble.  Use your finger to spread a little bit of the clear glue on the backside

 of the marble. Place the picture face down in the glue, smooth out any bubbles, and then use your finger to spread a little more glue on the backside of the picture.  When the glue is dry, use the glue gun to stick the magnet on the back.  Done!!  FHE board, complete with personal magnets!  Easy Peasy!! 

Wouldn't this be a great way to assign chores in your house too!  I considered buying a bigger magnet board that I could put both and FHE chart and a job chart on, but I couldn't decide where I'd want such a big board.  How about this...if you do a job chart, why not get some of those little magnetic containers (the ones that you can actually put something in), stick the kids names on them, and when they are finished with their chore you could put their reward (money, tickets, stickers, candy, etc.) in the container.  How fast would the chores get done when they can actually see an instant reward??? 

Monday Mom-blings

So for whatever reason, today it finally sunk in that summer vacation is nearly upon us.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that we finally had a hot day.  Maybe it's because we've been BBQing every night for the last week.  Maybe it's the fact that it doesn't get dark until after 8pm now. Whatever it is...it has now reminded me of the fact that my kiddos are going to be out of school in about a week and a half and I'm going to have to figure out ways to entertain them.

Normally I keep my kids pretty busy.  I expect homework, and chores be done.  Piano practicing, and other extracurricular activities come next, and playing (or in Jackson's case...hanging out) with friends comes in a distant 5th.   I'm sure most of my kids' friends think that I'm just a horrible, mean mom that doesn't ever let her kids out of the house.  In actuality, if the kids got their stuff done in a timely fashion, they'd have plenty of time to do whatever they want...but they don't, so they're usually stuck inside.  I digress.....

Regardless of how long it takes my kids to do their chores, I don't think it could stretch into everyday, all day long....At some point in time I'm sure they'll figure out that if they get their stuff done quickly, they can get their mom off their case for the rest of the day.  There's the crux of the problem right there..."the rest of the day."  What am I going to do to entertain the crew 24/7????

Last year I had an excuse...I was preggo the first half of the summer, and then we had a brand new baby for the last half of the summer.  This year I don't have an excuse...and despite a floundering economy, Kenny will be working his tail off at work, so I can't count on him to bail me out.  What to do???  Hmmmm.  I need to figure out something fun/exciting/challenging/etc. to do so the kids can at least have something cool to talk about when school starts again in the fall.  

There's the park.

The Library

The pool.

Throw in a few crafty projects.

Jackson's got Scout Camp.

Maybe a BYU camp???

Friends.

Popsicles.

Bike Rides.

Picnics.

A few well timed boating adventures...

Grandma & Grandpa always come in the summer.

Late nights.

Camping???  (maybe in the backyard again)

Movie nights.

That should get me through for a little while.  How about you?  Are you excited for your kids to be done with school?  Do you have any big plans?  How about big plans on a little budget?  Let me hear 'em.  I'm all ears!!!

Friday Favorite

A couple days ago I posted about my horrible luck with giveaways/contests.  Isn't the definition of insanity doing something over and over again even though nothing changes?...I suppose that's sort of me with giveaways.  I always enter, but never win.  I prefer to think of myself as optimistically persistant.  Well....

I'm excited to say that my persistance has finally paid off.  (How ironic is that???)  Yep, that's right...I actually won a giveaway prize.  Pretty cool!  I'm super excited about it and as such my "favorites" post is about my prize.  

Every so often I go back to my favorite blog design sites to see if they have anything new.  A couple of weeks ago I was doing just that and when I went to Leelou Blogs they happened to be running a giveaway...so of course I entered.  

Fast forward a couple weeks...and keep in mind that with me it's usually outta sight, outta mind.

Well, on Wednesday, I found myself back at Leelou Blogs.  I was scrolling through their site, looking at the new designs, when I came across a posting titled, "Winners."  Imagine my surprise as I read through the post and came to my name and comment.  Even when I read my name and comment I still did a double take (that should tell you how often I win things) and found myself thinking, "Gee, how funny is that...some girl out there with my same name would choose the same blog design that I like and write the comment I would write."  Duh!!!

Anyway...lucky me, I won a Leelou Membership.  My choice of 5 pre-made layouts that I can choose at any time. That should probably satisfy my need to switch things up...at least for a while!  

So, my official favorite blog designers are Leelou & Coley at Leelou Blogs.  Check out their site. They've got some really cute free blog designs and buttons to choose from, or if you're ready to put a little bit of cash into the blog they've also got so great options!!  The blog designs are easy to install and they come in a variety of 2 or 3 column designs.  These ladies are super talented!!

So, whether it's insanity or persistance I don't know...all I can say is that winning this giveaway has given me hope that maybe one day I'll win something else...I'll keep entering at least. Heehee!

Wednesday Wisdom

A friend sent me this poem.  Can you relate??

The Girl in a Whirl

By "Dr. Sue" (a.k.a. Vicke Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classroom! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize the names of the General Authorities,
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My check books all balance!
Each week each child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But, that is not all! Oh no, That is not all.
I track my bad habits 'till each is abolished;
Our T-shirts are ironed! My toe nails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too, It's easy to do all
the things I have to do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in the stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward 
Sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank yous" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids got straight A's! and their bedrooms are
clean.
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautiful groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-year supply
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all,

too!

"It's easy!" she said and then she dropped dead

Message for the Day:  

You don't have to do it all...not at the same time at least!!

Tuesday Tip

Well...this isn't a cool tutorial on anything, but I think it's a pretty cool tip.

I've been trying really hard lately to get our family "prepared" for whatever the future may hold. 

Food Storage

72 Hour Kits

Emergency Plans

...All that stuff

Of course I'm not as far along as I want to be, but it's better than nothing.  

I was on Giveaway Today (one of my favorite sites) last week and they had a giveaway for a company called Deals to Meals (formerly, "My Food Storage Deals".)  Of course I didn't win the cool giveaway...I never do.  I'm not that lucky.  (I wonder what that says about me...that I keep entering contests that I know I'll never win????)  Anyhoo, my little tip for the day is a FREE 2 week trial for Deals to Meals.  

As per their website, Deals to Meals works by:

-Comparing prices of the 5 major grocery stores to Costco and Walmart

-Telling you where the best deals are to stock up on your food storage and freezer

-Providing a meal planning service to help incorporate your food storage into your weekly meals

-Designing a weekly grocery list to make meal planning easy

-Sharing recipes

-Giving weekly tips and info on food storage

I've only glanced at it, but it could be pretty helpful.  I'm particularly intrigued by their "Free Downloads."  I'm planning on using their Food Storage Inventory Sheet to help me keep track of what I have and what I need.  (I think that's my biggest problem...hopefully I'll keep better track of my food storage than I do my checkbook!)

Anyway, Deals to Meals offers a free 2 week trial.  You could either sign up for your own 2 week trials, or you could get in on the free 2 week trial that is going on with Giveaway Today (technically, it would probably be a week and a half trial now...but who's counting!)  If you want to use the Giveaway Today trial simply go to Deals to Meals and sign in as follows:

E-mail:  giveaway@dealstomeals.com

Password: Giveaway

Give it a try.  See what you think!  Maybe it'll save you a little cashola...or at the very least give you plenty of ways to spend MORE cashola!!!

Monday Mom-blings

Wow...it's Monday again already.  

How was your Mother's Day?  I hope everyone got the chance to put their feet up, relax, and be spoiled by your kids and hubby.  I think I'll make a motion that we have Mother's Day once a month (at least...I would say once a week, but I'm probably pushing my luck!)...wouldn't that be great???  I wouldn't even need the gifts, just a full day devoted to relaxation.  Sleep in; Long shower; No chores; Read a book; Take a nap; No fighting kids...shall I go on???  Heaven!  *sigh*

Moving on...

So, now, at the risk of becoming like all those retail stores out there that move from one holiday to the next (before the first one is even finished) I'm going to bring up Father's Day.  I'm running so far behind that if I start thinking about it now, I might just get to it by the time Father's Day arrives.  O.k., I'm joking...kind of.  Mostly I was just thinking about it because Kenny was so thoughtful for Mother's Day this year and I'd love to spoil him just a little too.  Yesterday in Sacrament meeting our Bishop talked about how much women (mother's) do and how their husbands should try extra hard to help them more.  It was a nice sentiment, and I understand what he's saying, but lately, I feel like I'm the one being the slacker...and Kenny is willingly picking up the slack.  I suppose that's how good marriages are made...you trade off slacking and picking up the slack...and you do it willingly.  

Anyhoo...so I'm looking for some Father's Day suggestions/ideas.  Send them my way if you've got any...over-the-top ideas, on-a-budget ideas, romantic, sporty, homemade, store bought, kid stuff, etc.  I wanna hear 'em all!

Monday Momblings

Habits are funny little things...good ones are hard to get into but easy to break...bad ones are easy to get into but hard to break.  Go figure!  I'm sitting here trying to write this blog, for the second day now...it looks like I got out of the habit of writing daily over spring break, and now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, but it's not coming easily.

I've come to the conclusion that with school winding down, baseball winding up, and everything else going on that I just don't have time to blog on a daily basis.  However, blogging is my "outlet" and it's keeps me motivated to do new things so instead of ignoring it I'm going to try posting a few times a week.  We'll go for Monday, Wednesday, Friday...and I'll try to mix it up a bit with mombles, tips, tuts, wisdom, and favs, so keep checking.  I promise I'll get back into that good habit again!

Friday Favorite

Why do you blog? There are so many reasons: fun, work, time-waster, hobby, journal, etc.

One of the main reasons I do our family blog is for journal purposes. I've never been really good at writing things down on a consistent basis. I originally started our family blog so that our extended family could see pics of the kiddies and keep up to date on our family, but as time went on I realized that it was an easy way for me to keep a family journal. I tried scrapbooking...but I hate getting everything out, and then it takes me forever to think of something to do on each page...blah! I still do it every now and then, but it's not something that I enjoy doing. Blogging on the other hand, for me, is easy...and fast...and convenient...and the pictures are already available...and I don't have to try really hard to be creative...(you get the picture.) Keeping in mind that our family blog is our family journal, I got thinking how devastated I would be if something happened and all of that information was lost (which as we all know, can happen all to often with our advanced technology?!?)

Whatever your reason, I've found a couple of cool sites that might be of some interest to you. As I was blog stalking the other day, and just clicking on different links I found a couple of sites that look like they could be pretty cool. (*Note: I haven't actually used them yet, but I plan to.)

1. Bloggled - This is a site that offers a couple of different services. First and foremost, it is a site where you can BACK UP YOUR BLOG...FOR FREE!!! How can you say "no" to that?? Their goal is simple: To provide you with the best blog tools and features to make sure your blog information is never lost. Think about it...your time is valuable, you don't want to write your blog only to have it lost or deleted by accident. This service in and of itself, could give some valuable peace of mind...and save a lot of heartache if by chance something did happen! They are also working on a way to transfer your blog to a book...which is something I'm SOOOO excited about. It's not ready yet, but hopefully will be soon.

The next site starts where the other leaves off...

2. scrappingsimply.com - You know that blog to book thing...well it's available here! WooHoo! My kids love reading the blog, but I think that they would think it even cooler to see their names, pictures, etc. in a book, so I've decided that I'll continue keeping our family blog/journal and then have it made into a yearly book. (Tangible evidence that I've actually kept a journal.) I know that the kids will love to look through it and read the stories...even though they've already read them on the blog. It's like a whole new adventure when it's in a book in front of you! Anyhoo...I think their prices are pretty reasonable, but if the whole book thing seems to spendy, they have an option to just convert everything to a pdf file for the low low price of....(drumroll please) $2.95!!! Very cool!

Give them a try. See what you think!...and have a great weekend!